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You'd never know Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin slept a whole four hours Saturday night. McLaughlin was bright-eyed and all smiles Sunday morning as he sat in his office and talked about Jazil's victory.
Sunday, June 11, 2006Jockey Fernando Jara, an 18-year-old native of Panama, patiently guided Shadwell Stable's Jazil from the rail to the outside and outdueled Bluegrass Cat to win Saturday's 138th running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) by 1 1/4 lengths.
Saturday, June 10, 2006After missing his mount aboard Bluegrass Cat in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a broken shoulder blade, John Velazquez is looking forward to riding the colt in the $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) Saturday.
Friday, June 09, 2006There are nine -- count 'em, nine -- horses who can win Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), and it wouldn't come as a major surprise. What that means is that you can safely disregard the experts, speed figures, or any other handicapping tool and just hope the horse or horses you choose are in top shape to go a mile and a half.
Friday, June 09, 2006The field for the 138th running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) has been drawn, and now it is time for the strategies to be finalized and for a new star to emerge on the 3-year-old scene.
Friday, June 09, 2006Under the watchful eye of trainer Bob Baffert, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) contender Bob and John and Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup (gr. II) favorite Too Much Bling both galloped easily over the muddy Belmont Park track Thursday morning.
Thursday, June 08, 2006Jockey John Velazquez said he feels blessed to be back in the saddle so soon after suffering serious injuries during a race at Keeneland in April. He also is looking forward forward to piloting Bluegrass Cat, who was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite, in Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Thursday, June 08, 2006With each failed Triple Crown attempt comes an outcry from racing fans and horsemen that the structure of the Triple Crown needs changing. If it is the horses' safety and longevity that is the impetus for their comments, then no one can take issue with them. If, however, it is based on the fact that we have gone 28 years without a Triple Crown winner and racing desperately needs a horse to finally win all three races, that's a different matter.
Monday, June 05, 2006While some trainers altered their plans Monday after unexpected overnight rainfall in New York, two Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds completed their final preparations for Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Monday, June 05, 2006Jazil, who dead-heated for fourth in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is scheduled to breeze a half-mile Monday morning in preparation for the June 10 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He was one of several probable starters that are expected to work Monday.
Sunday, June 04, 2006Jockey John Velazquez returned a winner in his first start since being sidelined in an April 20 racing accident at Keeneland when he piloted Mr Sam I Am to a 2 3/4-length win for trainer Todd Pletcher in Belmont Park's fourth race on Friday.
Friday, June 02, 2006Two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey John Velazquez, who is scheduled to ride in his first race Friday since recovering from injuries suffered at Keeneland in April, says he will be at full strength by June 10 when he rides WinStar Farm's Bluegrass Cat in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Thursday, June 01, 2006Bluegrass Cat, the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner up to Barbaro, breezed five furlongs over Belmont's main track Sunday morning in 1:00.30.
Sunday, May 28, 2006Bluegrass Cat, the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner up to Barbaro, breezed five furlongs over Belmont's main track Sunday morning in 1:00.30.
Sunday, May 28, 2006Yes, there still is another leg of the Triple Crown to be run. Although the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on June 10 has lost its star appeal with the absence of Barbaro and Bernardini, it is still a classic, and a grueling one at that, and should at least be a competitive race, offering interesting possibilities for bettors.
Thursday, May 25, 2006Colonial Downs' early closing of their twin million dollar 3-year old turf races -- the Colonial Turf Cup and the Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) --have drawn 107 nominations, including Barbaro, Bluegrass Cat and Steppenwolfer, top three finishers in the Kentucky Derby Presneted by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, May 18, 2006Back in January, before Barbaro had ever run on the dirt, Michael Matz was asked if he knew where the name Barbaro came from. He called to assistant trainer Peter Brette: "Hey, Peter, what does the name Barbaro mean?" Brette didn't hesitate with his answer: "Kentucky Derby winner."
Wednesday, May 10, 2006A compilation of daily notes from Churchill Downs on the competitors in this year's Kentucky Derby.
Sunday, May 07, 2006As trainer Michael Matz savored Saturday's impressive victory by Lael Stables' Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainers of the horses that finished behind the son of Dynaformer reflected Sunday morning on what went wrong and what lies ahead.
Sunday, May 07, 2006No horse had won the Kentucky Derby with a five-week or longer layoff since Needles 50 years ago. But Barbaro showed how special he is by remaining undefeated and winning the 132nd running of the race by a wide margin.
Saturday, May 06, 2006A daily update on the candidates for the May 6 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006Even with two definite contenders going into the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Todd Pletcher remained calm and collected May 3, giving out instructions to exercise riders from his pony in the final countdown to the big day.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006A daily update on the candidates for the May 6 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006It took a week, but we finally have works...and works...and works. In what has to be a one-day record, a dozen Derby horses were on the work tab on a mild, drizzly Saturday morning, and we had a little bit of everything, from Lawyer Ron's sizzling five-furlong drill to a mixed bag of six-furlong works.
Saturday, April 29, 2006Despite suffering from a spring-time cold, trainer Todd Pletcher was active Saturday morning when he sent Bluegrass Cat, Keyed Entry, and Sunriver to the racetrack for their final Kentucky Derby works.
Saturday, April 29, 2006With one week to go before the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), 13 candidates for the 1 1/4-mile classic were on the track at Churchill Downs Saturday morning, going through their final workouts before the rain that was forecast for later in the day in Louisville, Ky.
Saturday, April 29, 2006Friday was another relatively quiet day on the backside at Churchill Downs, as none of the 22 horses being pointed toward the May 6 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) worked on a dry sunny morning.
Friday, April 28, 2006WinStar Farm, which owns Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender Bluegrass Cat, has acquired an interest in Derby hopeful Sharp Humor, the farm announced April 27.
Thursday, April 27, 2006Patrick Valenzuela, who won the 1989 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) aboard Sunday Silence, has been named to ride Hutcheson (gr. II) winner Keyed Entry in the 2006 Run for the Roses, Todd Pletcher said Saturday in an interview with TVG.
Saturday, April 22, 2006Jockey John Velazquez, injured when his mount broke down at Keeneland April 20, will miss the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) due to a fractured right shoulder blade and other injuries, according to Tristan Barry, an assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Friday, April 21, 2006Trainer Todd Pletcher has decided take a chance with Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender Sunriver, so the colt will not run in Saturday's $325,000-added Coolmore Lexington (gr. II) at Keeneland.
Thursday, April 20, 2006Suddenly, all the fast horses in this year's Run for the Roses don't seem that fast anymore.
Monday, April 17, 2006Sinister Minister stormed out of the starting gate and was never challenged in cruising to 12 3/4 -length victory in Saturday's $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).
Saturday, April 15, 2006Inside speed rules at Keeneland, and though we don't expect him to grab the lead at the outset, our choice to win the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) is the aptly-named Bluegrass Cat.
Friday, April 14, 2006Put up or shut up; now or never; do or die. You get the picture. With the running of Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) and Arkansas Derby (gr. II), we finally will have a good idea who will be in the starting lineup for the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, April 13, 2006First Samurai was installed as the 8-5 favorite when he drew post position five in the nine-horse field entered for Saturday's 82nd running of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006WinStar Farm homebred Bluegrass Cat, runner-up in the recent Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III), tuned up for Saturday's $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) at Keeneland with a five-furlong work on Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Sunday, April 09, 2006Godolphin's unbeaten Discreet Cat, a dazzling winner of the UAE Derby (UAE-II) at Dubai's Nad Al Sheba last month, stood as a surprising favorite following the opening day of betting in Pool 3 of Churchill Downs' 2006 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Friday, April 07, 2006This year's road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) has only a few more doors left to pass through. But the scene so far at each one has resembled a slapstick comedy routine where everyone tries to go through a door at the same time, and no one gets through.
Monday, March 20, 2006Joseph Lacombe Stable's homebred Deputy Glitters seized the lead coming off the far turn and finished full of determination for jockey Jose Lezcano to deal 2-5 favorite Bluegrass Cat a two-length defeat in Saturday's $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III).
Saturday, March 18, 2006We think there is no reason to deviate from the trend of favorites winning races on this year's Road to the Kentucky Derby in Saturday's Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III). Coming into the race, Bluegrass Cat looks like he'll whip this field.
Friday, March 17, 2006Never before have three grade III stakes and a grade II stakes come together on one afternoon to showcase so many major players on the Triple Crown trail. With the grade III Rebel, Gotham, and Tampa Bay Derby and grade II San Felipe drawing so many serious Derby horses, this surely will be a make or break weekend.
Thursday, March 16, 2006Todd Pletcher, whose bench is stronger than most other trainers' first string, sends out the first team on Saturday, when he'll saddle Bluegrass Cat in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) and Keyed Entry in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III).
Tuesday, March 14, 2006Cecil Peacock's Brother Derek heads an impressive list of 137 3-year-olds nominated to Keeneland's $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) April 15. The race will be televised live by ABC Sports from 5 to 6 p.m. (ET).
Thursday, March 09, 2006After agonizing for days whether to ride Bluegrass Cat in the March 18 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) or Keyed Entry in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) the same day, John Velazquez and agent Angel Cordero decided to stick to their commitment and ride WinStar Farm's Bluegrass Cat.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006Sam F. Davis Stakes winner Bluegrass Cat tops of group of 36 horses nominated to the $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) that highlights the March 18 Festival Day card at the Florida track.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006You know it's a strange day on the Triple Crown trail when you have four stakes and the two most impressive horses seen are in a maiden race and a workout. Although heavy favorites Brother Derek and First Samurai emerged victorious, the latter on a disqualification, it still left most people wanting more.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006Santa Catalina (gr. II) winner Brother Derek shot to favoritism at 10-1 among individual horses as Pool 2 of the 2006 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed on Sunday. But the field entry of all 3-year-olds not listed in the pool was a solid overall choice of bettors at odds of 3-1.
Sunday, March 05, 2006The mutuel field remained the favored betting interest at the midway point of Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, but unbeatens Barbaro and Strong Contender gained solid support as well Friday.
Saturday, March 04, 2006Racing fans made "all others" the favorite on the opening day of the second pool of Churchill Downs' 2006 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, but had trouble deciding on which of the individual horses deserved backing.
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